Regional BioCamp 2013 – insight into the world of the most advanced technology

The theme of all Regional BioCamps is always associated with Sandoz mission which is broadening access to medicines and offering the most advanced therapies to as many patients as possible. This was also a topic of discussion among lecturers and participants of the Regional BioCamp 2013 within the principal theme Contemporary Technologies for Affordable Therapies.

»As a part of one of the leading global pharmaceutical companies we opened the door for three days to promising young experts, for the third year in a row. The Regional BioCamp 2013 offered an insight into the pharmaceutical industry and entrepreneurship in the form of lectures. The participants also showed great interest in viewing the development centers of Sandoz Slovenia and thus getting to know from close up how work is carried out at the highest level of technological innovation and expertise,« explained Dr Darja Ferčej Temeljotov, Head of continuous improvements at Sandoz Development center Slovenia and the president of the organising committee of the Regional BioCamp 2013.

Transferring knowledge into practical work

Besides listening to lectures, the participants of the Regional BioCamp also had an opportunity to actively participate and challenge themselves in team work by developing case studies and applying already acquired knowledge to practical work. The selection of the best two individuals and the best team was based on the participant’s collaboration in a team task involving elaboration and presentation of a case study on the topic of bioinformatics modelling. The participants had to prove themselves not only as science experts but also had to show a great deal of business knowledge.

Dr Mateja Salobir, Head of technical development at Sandoz Biopharmaceuticals Mengeš, a member of the judging panel of the Regional BioCamp 2013, says: »Every year young scientists positively surprise us with their knowledge, inventiveness and potential. They use their curiosity and team work to successfully solve the challenge which is completely new for majority of them – preparing a business plan.«

The third Regional BioCamp in Ljubljana hosted 35 undergraduate and postgraduate students from seven countries: Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Monte Negro, Macedonia and Austria.

The winners will participate in the global BioCamp in Basel

According to the panel’s opinion, when preparing the business plan, the winners of the Regional BioCamp 2013 Patricia Wildberger and Gašper Pustovrh proved themselves to be the best among all participants when combining a scientific and business way of thinking which are both of the utmost importance in order to succeed in pharmacy.

“I really enjoyed these two days in Ljubljana. I gathered very valuable insights and got a unique chance to get a first-hand view of how the pharmaceutical industry works. The key lectures were really interesting and we also learned about challenges pharmaceutical companies face nowadays. I had the pleasure to be part of a really great team, each of our team members brought in their own competence and expertise, so we were able to take on the challenge and prepare a successful business case,” explained Patricia Wildberger.

“The Regional BioCamp was well organized, I really loved it. I must admit I was a little surprised by the win, but I think it was mainly because of our good team work. We all played an equal role in the team and commonly contributed to the success. I’m very enthusiastic about going to Novartis BioCamp, I expect it to be as well organized as the Regional BioCamp in Ljubljana,” said Gašper Pustovrh.

The winners of the Regional BioCamp 2013 will join the participants at the traditional Novartis global BioCamp, which will be held in August in Basel in Switzerland. Together with the top young science experts from all around the globe they will attend a three-day seminar, gaining new knowledge and experience and learning about trends in biotechnology and biopharmacy.

• More about the Regional BioCamp 2013